FUNNY FACE

Beginning with the entirely accurate premise that “[e]veryone can make a face,” Walker then rings the changes on the different sorts of faces one might make. “Sam makes a happy face” as he gazes at an equally happy-looking balloon; “Olive makes a sad face” as she regards her broken wand (tears drip to reinforce the emotion); “Milly makes an angry face” as she shouts at her dog, who has stolen one of her bright red shoes. Emotional literacy is something kids can’t start learning too early, and this is a cheerily whimsical approach. The delicacy of the bright gouache paintings skews this title to older toddlers, as babies are unlikely to note such details as the thieving dog, but for the right age child, it hits the spot. (Ages 18 mos.-3)